Managing Editor, The Forge: Organizing Strategy and Practice

Position Location: Washington, DC

The Center for Popular Democracy/CPD Action seeks a full-time Managing Editor for The Forge: Organizing Strategy and Practice.

About The Forge

The Forge (www.forgeorganizing.org) is built by community, labor, and movement organizers. Our target audience is five types of organizers in the US – labor, community, digital, movement, and electoral - as well as those with an interest in social change--journalists, activists, organizers outside the US, academics, policymakers, etc.

Our mission is simple: elevate the strategy and practice of organizing through the sharing of ideas, methods, history, and inspiration, and build connections and community among organizers and between sectors of the progressive movement.

In taking on this project, we have multiple objectives that extend from this mission, including:

Elevating and democratizing the practice of developing and deploying strategy in our work
Sharing best practices and exploring methodological questions in organizing
Creating spaces that--given that we are a volunteer organizer-driven journal--but not a full-blown training organization – address the needs for community and learning among various communities of organizers.

About CPD + CPDA

The Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action (together, CPD/A), which hosts The Forge, works to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We currently work with more than 50 partner organizations in more than 38 states, Puerto Rico, and D.C., and build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position

The Managing Editor (ME) will build out the publication and community. This position affords a unique growth opportunity for an ambitious editor/organizer with a commitment to transformative social change, to putting the periods and prepositions in the right places, and to building impactful learning, analytical, and sharing communities.

The position has a bit of it all, from digital strategy and audience building to fundraising, from volunteer management to delving into important questions of the strategy, history, and practice of organizing for social change.

The Managing Editor will be based in Washington, DC, and will report to the Editor, a volunteer role, as well as work with the Publishing Committee, comprised of practicing organizers and supporters of The Forge from across the US. Initially, the ME will be the only paid staff position at The Forge. In addition to receiving support from the Editor and publishing committee, the ME will also be able to call on support from scores of organizers and organizations who have offered their time and assistance, an Editorial Advisory Board, and from the infrastructure of the Center for Popular Democracy, a sponsor of the journal.

Primary Responsibilities

The Managing Editor, as the sole full-time staff position at The Forge, will carry a wide range of responsibilities. This is the attraction of the position. These include:

Overseeing the daily solicitation, follow up, editing, and publication of content for The Forge.
Establishing and executing, in concert with the Editor and Publishing Committee, editing and publishing protocols that enable the journal to meet the needs of the organizing sector(s), and to publish the highest quality content.
Managing the website and social media programming for The Forge.
Providing staff support to the Editorial Advisory Board and Publishing Committee, and help to build out a robust infrastructure whereby volunteers are able to effectively contribute to building the publication and surrounding community.
Working with the Editor as well as the EAB and Publishing Committee to develop a longer-term growth, business, and impact model for The Forge.
Working with the Editor and others on fundraising to support the publication. This will include launching a new member/subscription program.

Job Requirements

Successful applicants will demonstrate many of the following attributes:

A deep, demonstrated commitment to social justice through grassroots organizing, and a bold, ecumenical vision for how social movements and the progressive movement can win.
Exceptional English language written communications, including editing skills, and an ability to write for different types of audiences, in different formats.
An ability to do different types of fundraising and/or a willingness to learn.
A deep commitment to building equitable movement institutions, with attention to race, gender, class, disability, and more, and creativity about how to weave these commitments into movement publications and spaces.
A rigorous analytical approach to questions of organizing and movement strategy, as well as the other questions that a journal and community for organizers will engage.
Strong social media and website management skills, and the creativity to innovate as we build The Forge.

Salary and Benefits

Salary will be determined according to a salary scale which takes into account years’ experience, location, job category, and other factors, but is expected to be $70,000- $85,000. We have a generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 15 vacation days per year, 10 sick days per year, 14 paid holidays per year, and contributions to individuals’ 401K plans.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your cover letter and resume through our HiringThing portal: https://cpd.hiringthing.com/job/173445/managing-editor-the-forge-organiz...

CPD/A is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, women, individuals with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community.